Softball Announces 2026 Signing Class
November 12, 2025 | Softball
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina softball team announced its 2026 signing class of Bella Moussa, Maddie Murphy and Chloe Chappell that will join the Pirates' roster in the fall on Wednesday afternoon.
"Our program has become known for power on offense and being able to drive the ball out of the park and that's exactly what this class brings," head coach Shane Winkler said. "All three of our signees have the ability to be offensive threats as soon as they step foot on campus. We are excited about the talent and character they will bring to Pirate Nation."
Bella Moussa | C/UTL | Midlothian, Va. (Midlothian HS)
Helped guide Midlothian to a perfect 24-0 record and a 5C State Championship as well as a regional title in 2025 … Batted .400 at the plate with 26 hits, 19 RBI and four home runs as a junior … Ranked 47th in Line Drive Media's Top 100 Players for the Class of 2026 … Tabbed First Team All-Metro, All-Region and All-State as well as Honorable Mention All-County for her junior and sophomore seasons … Home run derby champion at the 2022 Alliance Nationals and 2023 Select 30 Vegas … Has tallied a career record in high school of 84-9 through three seasons … Also competed in the 55-meter dash and 200-meter in indoor track.
Winkler on Moussa: "We were able to pick up Bella very late in the process and she's going to be able to contribute immediately behind the plate. Her energy and worth ethic will allow her to be a leader in our program even as a young catcher. Offensively she's going to bring a ton of pop to an already explosive offense."
Maddie Murphy | OF | Clayton, N.C. (Cleveland HS)
Hit .306 with 22 hits, 23 RBI and three home runs as junior to help lead Cleveland to a conference championship and a 7A GNRC Eastern Regional runner-up finish in 2025 … Three-time all-conference selection … Batted .303 as a freshman with four doubles to assist Cleveland to a conference title in 2023 … Two-time academic all-conference … Batted .379 as a sophomore.
Winkler on Murphy: "Maddie has "light tower" type power at the plate. She's been fun to watch grow into a middle of the lineup type run producer for her travel program. She's going to have the potential to challenge some of our offensive records for power hitters during her time here."
Chloe Chappell | INF | Edenton, N.C. (Holmes HS)
Recorded 34 runs, 30 hits, 27 RBI, 10 doubles, six triples and three home runs as a junior in 2025 at Holmes … Hit .524 with seven home runs as a sophomore and batted .434 with 33 hits and 35 RBI as a freshman … Tossed 51 strikeouts in 16 appearances in the circle as a freshman … Named 2A District Player of the Year, Conference Player of the Year, NCHSAA Scholar Athlete and all-state and all-district by the NC Softball Coaches Association.
Winkler on Chappell: "We've had the opportunity to follow Chloe since our staff got to ECU as she's one of the first young players we got excited about through our camps. She's developed into one of the best hitters in the state and is going to be a big time run producer for our program."
"Our program has become known for power on offense and being able to drive the ball out of the park and that's exactly what this class brings," head coach Shane Winkler said. "All three of our signees have the ability to be offensive threats as soon as they step foot on campus. We are excited about the talent and character they will bring to Pirate Nation."
Bella Moussa | C/UTL | Midlothian, Va. (Midlothian HS)
Helped guide Midlothian to a perfect 24-0 record and a 5C State Championship as well as a regional title in 2025 … Batted .400 at the plate with 26 hits, 19 RBI and four home runs as a junior … Ranked 47th in Line Drive Media's Top 100 Players for the Class of 2026 … Tabbed First Team All-Metro, All-Region and All-State as well as Honorable Mention All-County for her junior and sophomore seasons … Home run derby champion at the 2022 Alliance Nationals and 2023 Select 30 Vegas … Has tallied a career record in high school of 84-9 through three seasons … Also competed in the 55-meter dash and 200-meter in indoor track.
Winkler on Moussa: "We were able to pick up Bella very late in the process and she's going to be able to contribute immediately behind the plate. Her energy and worth ethic will allow her to be a leader in our program even as a young catcher. Offensively she's going to bring a ton of pop to an already explosive offense."
Maddie Murphy | OF | Clayton, N.C. (Cleveland HS)
Hit .306 with 22 hits, 23 RBI and three home runs as junior to help lead Cleveland to a conference championship and a 7A GNRC Eastern Regional runner-up finish in 2025 … Three-time all-conference selection … Batted .303 as a freshman with four doubles to assist Cleveland to a conference title in 2023 … Two-time academic all-conference … Batted .379 as a sophomore.
Winkler on Murphy: "Maddie has "light tower" type power at the plate. She's been fun to watch grow into a middle of the lineup type run producer for her travel program. She's going to have the potential to challenge some of our offensive records for power hitters during her time here."
Chloe Chappell | INF | Edenton, N.C. (Holmes HS)
Recorded 34 runs, 30 hits, 27 RBI, 10 doubles, six triples and three home runs as a junior in 2025 at Holmes … Hit .524 with seven home runs as a sophomore and batted .434 with 33 hits and 35 RBI as a freshman … Tossed 51 strikeouts in 16 appearances in the circle as a freshman … Named 2A District Player of the Year, Conference Player of the Year, NCHSAA Scholar Athlete and all-state and all-district by the NC Softball Coaches Association.
Winkler on Chappell: "We've had the opportunity to follow Chloe since our staff got to ECU as she's one of the first young players we got excited about through our camps. She's developed into one of the best hitters in the state and is going to be a big time run producer for our program."
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